Resume Writing and Interviewing

1. Resume Writing and Interviewing May, 2011 Comm/App

2. Getting started • Networking – developing a variety of personal contacts that can help with job hunting • Teachers • Counselors • Family and friends • Conduct a job search • Local want ads • Bulletin boards • Online resources

3. Getting ready • Research the employer and the job • Learn as much as you can about the company you are interviewing with and the job you are interviewing for. • Practice! • Mock interview • Dress appropriately • Look as professional as possible

4. Preparing for an interview • Anticipate the questions • Make positive points • Rehearse tough questions • Take your time

5. The Questions • General • Why do you want to work for us? • What would you like to be doing five years from now? • Educational • What is your GPA? • Favorite courses? • Job related • Why should I hire you? • How long a commitment do you plan to give me? • Personal • Tell me about yourself. • What accomplishment are you the most proud of?

6. Getting positive points across • Puff balls • Easy questions like, "Tell me about yourself.” Have a prepared answer and use it here. • Pauses • A lull in the conversation. Offer to talk about some positive experience that displays your skill or knowledge. • Bridges • A transition that leads from one question to another. Use it to lead from potential negative to positive response. • Sparkler • Get a positive point across about yourself by telling a story or using a quote • Sound Bite • Give most responses in 30 second sound bites.

7. Take your time • When faced with a tough question, slow down! • Say interviewer’s name once slowly while you think • Repeat or paraphrase the question • Make general comments while you ponder the specifics • Say, “ I need to think about that one for a moment”. Then answer when you have had a moment to think it through. • If there is no hope, answer that you honestly don’t know.

8. Inappropriate questions • What political party are you affiliated with? • Do you go to church regularly? • Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend? • Do you drink? • Do you have a disability? • How much do you weigh?

9. What to ask the interviewer • Ask about specific duties and responsibilities • Who will your immediate supervisor be • What hours you will be expected to work • DON”T ask about days off, vacation time and sick leave!

10. ACTIVITY…ACTIVITY…ACTIVITY! • Sit in groups of three. • One person is to be the facilitator, one an interviewer and the remaining person the potential employee. • The facilitator has cards that say, “puff ball”, “pause”, “bridge” and “sparkler”. • The interviewer should begin by asking general interview questions. The potential employee is to respond. The facilitator will then pass a card to either player at will. The recipient of the card is to immediately respond with an example of what is on the card. If one receives “pause” they are to stop talking. After performing the direction, the player is to return the card to the facilitator. • Can you survive this interview? MUWAH HA HAHAHA!!!!

11. Preparing a resume • Start with your educational accomplishments • Schools attended and how many years completed • GPA • Academic honors and awards • Activities, clubs or groups you belong to • Offices you’ve held or committees served on • Sports, band, drill team, etc.

12. Work History • Make a list of every job you’ve ever held • For each employer list: • Name, address and telephone number • Names of all supervisors • Exact dates, (month and year), you were employed • Your specific duties and responsibilities • Any promotions, awards or recognition you received • Don’t forget your volunteer experience!

13. Putting it all on paper • Identification • Name address, phone, e-mail • Objective • goal • Education and training • Work history • In reverse order • Personal data • Interests, hobbies • References • Upon request

14. Tips • Be positive • Be brief • Be transparent • When requested provide references • Former employers • Teachers • Counselors • Clergy

15. Making the most of the process • Be on time!!!! • Be energetic • Pay attention • Use interviewer’s name occasionally during the interview • Dress for success Shirt, tie, slacks, blouse, etc. • After the interview send a thank you note!

16. Checklist • Do I have copies of my resume? • Do I have a list of three references with addresses and phone numbers? • Did I make sure I will be on time? • Am I dressed appropriately? • Even if I’m tired I’ll sit up and look alert. • Can I remember not to criticize others, especially past employers? • Can I remember to make good eye contact with the interviewer?

17. Checklist continued… • Can I remember the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview? • Can I remember to thank the interviewer at the close of the interview? • Have I turned off any electronic devices? (Cell phone!!!)

18. Next… • Get ready to go to the job fair!